How to Make Model Boats Out of Used Stuff

Save old drinking straws and reuse them for your boat model.

Unleash your creative side and craft a boat from materials you'd normally throw away. This boat model is an ideal project for children. Use it to teach the important lesson of recycling or to entertain on a rainy afternoon. Once you construct your milk carton boat, decorate it to your liking and send it floating. The ship's hull size is up to you. Use tiny half pint cartons or a larger gallon size. You can even construct several, then send your boats on a race.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard milk carton in desired size
• Straw
• Napkin
• Scissors
• Cardboard toilet tissue roll or paper towel roll
• Glue
• Masking tape
• Waterproof markers

Instructions

1. Rinse out your milk carton thoroughly and allow it to dry. Sit the carton on one of its long sides, so the bottom and top of the carton are now the front and back of the boat. The folded opening of the milk carton will be the pointed bow of the boat.

2. Use your scissors to open up the boat by cutting off the top panel, leaving the front, back, bottom and two sides in tact.

3. Cover the front, sides, and back of the boat with masking tape. Leave the bottom as is.

4. Tape your straw to the inside of the back of your boat, making a mast. Add a napkin, folded in half, for a sail. You can also add toilet paper roll "smoke stacks." Decorate your boat with markers, if desired.

5. Use milk cartons in varying sizes to make a fleet of ships that float in a pool or bathtub.

References

• Ziggity Zoom: Activities- Milk Carton Boat
• Highlights Kids: Easy Float Boat

Resources

• Craft Gossip: Recycled Crafts